Parent taking kids to school during king tides in South TownsvilleSource: Supplied

RESIDENTS in low-lying Townsville suburbs watched as a king tide inundated their yards with saltwater early yesterday.

The tide peaked at 3.91m at 8.01am, but it was just a preview of the storm tides to come.

South Townsville resident Julie Gordon, who lives in Todd Street, said she was nervous about the looming low and its impact on the bigger king tides expected today and tomorrow.

"During Yasi, we had waves in our backyard," she said.

The king tide is expected to peak at 4.09m at 8.40am today, and then 4.12m at 9.21am tomorrow. On current forecasts, the king tide is expected to peak as the low, or potential category one cyclone, crosses the coast just south of Townsville ­tomorrow morning.

The bureau has warned strong winds generated by the system could increase tide heights by up to 1.2m.

THEIR days on the court may be over but former Townsville Fire players Aneka Davis, Cherie Gallagher and Julia Duroux will be cheering from the sideline when the team takes on Bendigo in the grand final.